Numbers 6:7

KJV

He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God [is] upon his head.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall not make himself unclean {H2930} for his father {H1}, or for his mother {H517}, for his brother {H251}, or for his sister {H269}, when they die {H4194}: because the consecration {H5145} of his God {H430} is upon his head {H7218}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is not to make himself unclean for his father, mother, brother or sister when they die, since his consecration to God is on his head.

Berean Standard Bible

Even if his father or mother or brother or sister should die, he is not to defile himself, because the crown of consecration to his God is upon his head.

American Standard Version

He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die; because his separation unto God is upon his head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 6:7 stands as a profound testament to the absolute nature of the Nazarite vow, a temporary period of voluntary dedication to the Lord in ancient Israel. This verse specifically prohibits a Nazarite from defiling himself through contact with a dead body, even that of an immediate family member, underscoring that the sacred consecration to God superseded even the most fundamental and deeply ingrained familial obligations and mourning rituals. It highlights the unparalleled priority of divine commitment over all earthly ties during the period of separation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 6:7 is an integral part of the detailed regulations concerning the Nazarite vow, outlined in [Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite"). The preceding verses establish the three core prohibitions of the vow: abstaining from all grape products (vv. 3-4), allowing the hair to grow uncut (v. 5), and avoiding contact with any dead body (v. 6). Verse 7 specifically elaborates on the stringency of the third prohibition, emphasizing that even the death of a father, mother, brother, or sister—relationships that typically necessitated direct involvement in burial and mourning rites—did not exempt the Nazarite from maintaining ritual purity. This particular injunction highlights the extreme nature of the separation required, setting the Nazarite apart from common societal expectations and even the high priestly regulations concerning defilement (cf. [Leviticus 21:10-12](/leviticus/21-10 "Leviticus 21:10-12 - High Priest's Purity")). The subsequent verses detail the procedures for accidental defilement and the completion of the vow, reinforcing the sanctity of the period.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, contact with a dead body rendered an individual ritually unclean, a state that required specific purification rituals, as detailed in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - The Law of the Red Heifer"). This impurity was not inherently sinful but prevented participation in cultic worship until cleansed. Family members were typically responsible for preparing the deceased for burial and participating in mourning rites, which often involved direct contact. For a Nazarite, however, the commitment to God was so profound that it transcended these deeply ingrained societal and familial duties. The prohibition in [Numbers 6:7](/numbers/6-7 "Numbers 6:7 - Nazarite's Purity") was radical, demonstrating an unparalleled level of dedication. Unlike the high priest, who was forbidden to defile himself for any dead person except close family (father, mother, son, daughter, brother, unmarried sister, [Leviticus 21:1-3](/leviticus/21-1 "Leviticus 21:1-3 - Priestly Purity Laws")), the Nazarite's prohibition was absolute, even for immediate kin. This emphasized the unique, temporary, and voluntary nature of their consecrated status, which placed them in a state of holiness akin to, or even surpassing, that of the high priest during their period of separation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **unclean (Hebrew, _ṭāmēʾ'_):** This verb (טָמֵא) signifies a state of ritual impurity or defilement. In the Old Testament, ritual impurity was a temporary, often unavoidable state resulting from contact with certain substances or events, such as childbirth, skin diseases, or, most notably, dead bodies. While not inherently sinful, it rendered an individual unfit for participation in the tabernacle/temple cult until purification rites were completed. For the Nazarite, avoiding _ṭāmēʾ_ was paramount, as their entire vow was predicated on a heightened state of ritual purity and separation unto God.
* **consecration (Hebrew, _nēzer'_):** The noun (נֵזֶר) is central to understanding the Nazarite vow. It carries multiple layers of meaning: "separation," "dedication," "crown," or "diadem." In the context of the Nazarite, their uncut hair was considered their "crown" or "diadem," a visible sign of their unique state of separation and dedication to God. This "crown" symbolized that they were literally "crowned" with God's special claim upon their lives, demanding an extraordinary level of holiness and a distinct lifestyle that prioritized divine commands above all else, even familial ties. The term underscores the sacred, set-apart status of the Nazarite.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die:"** This clause specifies the radical extent of the Nazarite's required purity. The prohibition against defilement by a dead body, already established in [Numbers 6:6](/numbers/6-6 "Numbers 6:6 - Nazarite's Purity from Death"), is here intensified by explicitly including even the closest family members. This was an extraordinary demand in a culture where familial piety and involvement in burial rites were paramount. The Nazarite was to forgo these deeply ingrained duties, demonstrating that their commitment to God transcended even the most fundamental human bonds and societal expectations.
* **"because the consecration of his God [is] upon his head."** This explanatory clause provides the theological rationale for the extreme prohibition. The "consecration" (Hebrew: _nēzer_) refers to the visible sign of the Nazarite vow—the uncut hair—which symbolized their dedication and separation to God. This "crown" on their head signified that they were literally "crowned" with God's special claim, making them uniquely holy and set apart. Their entire being, symbolized by their head, was dedicated to God, and this sacred status demanded an unparalleled level of ritual purity and an unwavering focus on divine commands, even at the cost of profound personal and familial sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
The text employs **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis** to underscore the extreme nature of the Nazarite's dedication. By explicitly listing immediate family members (father, mother, brother, sister), the passage highlights that the Nazarite's commitment to God was so absolute that it superseded even the most sacred and culturally mandated familial obligations, thereby emphasizing the unparalleled priority of the divine vow. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is central to the verse, particularly with the phrase "the consecration of his God [is] upon his head." The uncut hair of the Nazarite served as a powerful visual symbol of their set-apart status, a "crown" of dedication to the Lord. This physical manifestation of their vow served as a constant reminder, both to the Nazarite and to observers, of their sacred separation and the unique claim God had on their life during that period.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 6:7 powerfully articulates the theological principle of absolute consecration and the supreme priority of God's call. It demonstrates that genuine dedication to the Lord may demand sacrifices that challenge deeply held societal norms and even natural human affections. The Nazarite's radical separation from defilement, even from death within their own family, serves as a vivid illustration that true holiness often requires a willingness to set aside personal comfort, familial expectations, and worldly entanglements to pursue an undivided devotion to God. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, calling believers to a life of distinction and singular focus on divine purposes.

* [Matthew 10:37](/matthew/10-37 "Matthew 10:37 - Jesus' Teaching on Ultimate Allegiance")
* [Luke 14:26](/luke/14-26 "Luke 14:26 - The Cost of Discipleship")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Call to Separation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the Nazarite vow is not practiced today, the profound spiritual principles embedded in Numbers 6:7 remain profoundly relevant for contemporary believers. This verse challenges us to critically examine the true priorities of our hearts. Are we willing to place our commitment to God above even our dearest relationships, personal comforts, or societal expectations? The Nazarite's radical separation for purity calls us to a similar spiritual vigilance, urging us to identify and remove influences that defile our hearts, distract us from our walk with God, or hinder our witness. Our lives, like the Nazarite's uncut hair, should serve as a visible testimony of our allegiance to Christ, demonstrating that we are "set apart" for His purposes and that His divine claim on our lives takes precedence over all earthly allegiances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of my life, including relationships or cultural expectations, might be hindering my full consecration to God?**
* **In what practical ways can I live a "set apart" life for Christ in today's world, reflecting His purity and priorities?**
* **How does my commitment to God compare to the radical dedication exemplified by the Nazarite, and what steps can I take to deepen my devotion?**

### FAQ
**Why was contact with a dead body considered so defiling in ancient Israel, and why was the Nazarite's prohibition so strict?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, contact with a dead body was considered the highest form of ritual impurity, as death was seen as the antithesis of life, which belongs to God. This defilement was not inherently sinful but rendered an individual ritually unclean, preventing participation in sacred worship until purification rites were performed (e.g., [Numbers 19:11-22](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11-22 - Law of Purification from Death")). For the Nazarite, the prohibition was exceptionally strict because their entire vow was a temporary, heightened state of holiness and separation unto God. Their "consecration" (Hebrew: _nēzer_), symbolized by their uncut hair, meant they were uniquely dedicated to the Lord. Any defilement, especially from death, would break this sacred state, necessitating a restart of their vow. This radical separation underscored the absolute nature of their commitment to God, demonstrating that their divine calling superseded even the most fundamental familial obligations and societal norms surrounding death and mourning.

**How does the principle of Numbers 6:7 apply to Christians today, given that we are not under the Mosaic Law or the Nazarite vow?**

Answer: While Christians are not bound by the specific regulations of the Mosaic Law, including the Nazarite vow, the underlying spiritual principles of [Numbers 6:7](/numbers/6-7 "Numbers 6:7 - Nazarite's Purity") remain profoundly relevant. As believers, we are called to be "set apart" for God through Christ, a concept often referred to as sanctification. This means prioritizing our relationship with God above all else, even above our closest earthly relationships or cultural expectations, as Jesus Himself taught in [Matthew 10:37](/matthew/10-37 "Matthew 10:37 - Jesus' Teaching on Ultimate Allegiance"). We are to strive for spiritual purity, avoiding influences that defile our hearts or hinder our walk with God, as exhorted in [2 Corinthians 7:1](/2_corinthians/7-1 "2 Corinthians 7:1 - Cleansing from Defilement"). Our lives should be a visible testimony of our dedication to Christ, demonstrating that we belong to Him and live for His glory, reflecting the "royal priesthood" and "holy nation" identity described in [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Identity of Believers"). The Nazarite's commitment serves as an enduring example of radical devotion and the cost of true consecration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 6:7, with its radical demands for separation and purity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ and His call to discipleship. Jesus Himself was the ultimate "Nazarite" in spirit, though not under the Mosaic vow, embodying perfect consecration and absolute separation unto God. His life was entirely set apart for the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross, a death that He willingly embraced to overcome defilement and bring life. Unlike the Nazarite who avoided death, Christ entered into death, taking upon Himself the ultimate defilement of sin to purify humanity (cf. [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Purifies Conscience")). Through His sacrifice, believers are now consecrated not by a temporary vow or external symbols, but by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the cleansing power of His blood (cf. [1 Peter 1:2](/1_peter/1-2 "1 Peter 1:2 - Sanctification by the Spirit and Blood of Jesus Christ")). We are called to a spiritual separation from the world's defilements, not by avoiding physical death, but by dying to sin and living for righteousness (cf. [Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God")). Our "consecration" is now a permanent, internal reality, making us a "holy priesthood" (cf. [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Holy Priesthood")) whose lives are a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (cf. [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")). Thus, the Nazarite's radical commitment foreshadows the even greater, Spirit-empowered dedication required of those who are truly "in Christ."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 9:6

And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:

Leviticus 21:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

Leviticus 21:2

But for his kin, that is near unto him, [that is], for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

Leviticus 21:10

¶ And [he that is] the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

Leviticus 21:12

Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God [is] upon him: I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 44:25

And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.